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London Is Lit: Two Suburban London Experiences You Won’t Want to Miss

Always short on vacation time, my travels often unfold like speed dates. I’ll typically spend one or two days in a city and then quickly move on to the next destination, hoping to pack in as much sightseeing as I can. The pace of a trip like that can wear you out, and that’s why my recent visit to London was such a treat. I was fortunate to spend seven full days in the city, exploring every corner...

Rome is a city for romantics. Its cobblestone streets, numerous fountains, and thousand year old buildings hold more stories than it would take to tell in a lifetime. The sharply dressed denizens, chic shops, and quaint cafes give the city an affluent air. However, it would be a disservice to romantics everywhere to assume that this means Rome is for the luxury traveler only. In fact, I ...

Vacation Rental Hits and Misses: A Look Back at Our Travels

Not every holiday goes off flawlessly and no doubt many of you will be able to relate to at least one of the four “misses” we’ve identified below: Vacation Misses Bed with a Blade – Yes, this trip involved an unexpected blade – a 12-inch knife -- found under my pillow as I nestled into my bed at a mountain cabin we found on VRBO. While the knife freaked me out, what shook me up even more was t...

5 Reasons to Head Out to Montaña de Oro on California’s Central Coast

Imagine standing on the peak of a coastal mountain and below you is a beautiful landscape fit for a National Geographic Magazine cover. In front of you is a mountainside abundant with native plants and animals leading into a majestic coastline of large rocky outcroppings and sandy beaches fighting an endless battle with the salty waves of the Pacific Ocean. To your left, your right and behind you ...

Islands in the Sand: Six Reasons to Visit the Southwest

Mostly everyone who grew up in Southern California -- like I did -- has made a sojourn through America's Southwest at least once or twice in their lifetimes. As you cross the picturesque desert, cities such as Santa Fe, Tucson, Prescott, Sedona and Flagstaff crop up like islands in the sand. And the views are always amazing, no matter what the season. The history, art and cultural traditions b...

Off the Beaten Track in Florida: The Other Side of the Sunshine State

There is another side to Florida -- beyond the towering hotels that line Miami's famous beaches, away from the entertainment mecca of Orlando, and a far cry from the retirement communities and condos. For those with deep roots in the "sunshine state," this other side exists in sharp contrast to today's most common perceptions of Florida. We've made our way to America's most southeastern sta...

Six Adventures for the Everyday Traveler – Part 2

In our last post we left you hanging after describing only three of our six favorite travel adventures -- things we did that took us slightly outside our comfort zone while on the road. As mentioned previously, one thing we've learned is that adding a bit of a thrill to your travels can only make them more memorable. And so, without further delay, we give you the remaining three in the hopes you m...

Santa Barbara and Ventura Beaches: Classic California Style

This post courtesy of our sister site, TopCaliforniaBeaches.com When it comes to the top California beaches, the Santa Barbara and Ventura coasts are in a class by themselves. These charming towns boast a unique blend of coastal beauty, history, culture and classic California style. Above: the stretch of coast along the town of Summerland, just south of Santa Barbara, is one of the m...

Cutting Costs in Kauai: Air and Lodging for Two in The Garden Isle — Only $1500

After two weeks in New Zealand, we weren't planning on heading to Kauai this year, but when we came across an Alaska Airlines deal for $318 roundtrip flights to Maui, it became an easy decision. We booked the air travel, adding on a quick island-hopper flight to Kauai, and soon came across a cost-effective yet charming ocean-view studio available at $100 per night. All told, the total costs for ai...